NFL announces New England Patriots 2009 schedule

The Republican file photo/CHRISTOPHER EVANSThe New England Patriots now know their schedule for 2009. They already knew that Tom Brady will be back as quarterback.

Staff reports

The National Football League announced its complete 2009 schedule Tuesday, and the New England Patriots, who have high hopes of returning to the Super Bowl with star quarterback Tom Brady returning from a knee injury, will be featured on national TV at least five times.

2009 PATRIOTS SCHEDULE

PRESEASON

Aug. 13: at Philadelphia, 7 p.m., TV-NBC

Aug. 20: vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m., TV-NBC

Aug. 28: at Washington, 8 p.m, TV-CBS

Sept. 3: vs. New York Giants, 7:30 p.m., TV-NBC

REGULAR SEASON

Sept. 14: vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m., TV-ESPN

Sept. 20: at New York Jets, 1 p.m., TV-CBS

Sept. 27: vs. Atlanta, 1 p.m., TV-FOX

Oct. 4: vs. Baltimore, 1 p.m., TV-CBS

Oct. 11: at Denver, 4:15 p.m., TV-CBS

Oct. 18: vs. Tennessee, 4:15 p.m., TV-CBS

# Oct. 25: at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m., TV-CBS

Nov. 1: Bye week

Nov. 8: vs. Miami, 1 p.m., TV-CBS

Nov. 15: at Indianapolis, 8:20 p.m., TV-NBC

*Nov. 22: vs. New York Jets, 4:15 p.m., TV-CBS

Nov. 30: at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m., TV- ESPN

* Dec. 6: at Miami, 8:20 p.m., TV-NBC

* Dec. 13: vs. Carolina, 1 p.m., TV-FOX

* Dec. 20: at Buffalo, 1 p.m., TV-CBS

* Dec. 27: vs. Jacksonville, 1 p.m., TV-CBS

* Jan. 3: at Houston, 1 p.m., TV-CBS

# - at Wembley Stadium, London, England

* - Game subject to flexible scheduling adjustment

Based on 2008 records, the Patriots will have the third-most difficult schedule in 2009. Their scheduled opponents had combined record of 151-105 (.590) in 2008.

The Patriots kick off the regular season on Sept. 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough when they host American Football Conference East Division rival Buffalo Bills in a prime time matchup on ESPN's "Monday Night Football." It will be the first of three "Legacy Weekends" in which the Patriots will play. "Legacy Weekends" will feature matchups between the eight charter franchises of the American Football League (AFL), all of which are celebrating their 50th anniversary seasons. The Patriots will wear new red jerseys that replicate the uniforms worn by the 1963 Boston Patriots.

The Patriots' schedule includes a game Oct. 25 at London, England, where New England will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium. The game will be Patriots' first regular-season contest played outside the U.S. and their first game outside North America. The Patriots previously played preseason games in Mexico City (1998), Toronto (1993) and Montreal (1969, 1990).